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BIG STORY OCTOBER 06, 2023 | The Indian Eye 5

and Rick McCormik, Democrat extremism and violence,” Jaishankar
and Republican, were present at the said.
event. Just days away from Gandhi He added, “This permissiveness
Jayanti, Jaishankar paid floral trib- is also reflected in the fact that some
utes to Mahatma Gandhi and made important extradition requests have
several remarks about the legacy of not been responded to from their
Gandhi. side. In fact, that there are individu-
But the Canadian allegations als and organizations who are clear-
against India cast a shadow over the ly involved with violence and illegal
trip. US Secretary of State Antony activities in India, who have them-
Blinken reiterated United States’ selves declared it…I mean it is not a
stand urging India to cooperate in secret”.
the investigation regarding Canadian Stating that he is aware of US’
allegations, adding that the issue was reaction on the ongoing India-Can-
also raised during his meeting with ada row, External Affairs Minister S
External Affairs Minister S Jaishan- Jaishankar said that both sides have
kar on Thursday. articulated each other’s views on the
Stating that the US is “very matter. Addressing a press confer-
concerned” about the allegations, Shiv Sena Dogra Front supporters protest against Justin Trudeau over his alleged comment on ence in Washington DC on Friday,
Blinken said those responsible be- Jaishankar said, “I saw what the
hind the incident need to be “held the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar (ANI) Americans have said, and hopefully,
accountable”. Addressing a press the Americans have seen what I have
briefing on Friday, Antony Blinken ernment has paid a lot of attention Those who talk about terrorism, the said. I think both of us have articulat-
said, “As I said before and other col- to the issues of the Sikh community, separatist people, whose arguments ed our respective views…so I really
leagues have said before, we are very External Affairs Minister S Jaishan- include violence...this is a small mi- don’t know, beyond that, what else I
concerned about the allegations that kar said that the extremist elements nority, and the respective govern- can add”.
have been raised by Canada by Prime are just a “small minority” and do not ments should take unbiased actions. Jaishankar further said that the
Minister Trudeau. We have been in represent the entire community. He We should not take this as a matter larger issue in the matter is the “per-
close contact with Canada about that”. was asked about the concerns of Sikh of the entire community”. missiveness” regarding the incidents
The US Secretary of State af- community amid the Khalistan issue, The EAM also said that the on- of violence and extremism in Cana-
firmed hope that India and Canada to which the EAM said that the issue going problem with Canada has been da, which has been flagged by India.
should “work together” to resolve doesn’t represent the views of the en- there for some years because of the “No incident is isolated and no inci-
the matter. “And at the same time, tire community. “permissiveness” by the government dent is the totality. There is a context
we have engaged with the Indian Addressing a press conference regarding terrorism, extremism and for everything and there are multiple
government and urged them to work in Washington DC on Friday, S Jais- violence in the country. He said that problems out there, so in the case of
with Canada on investigation and I hankar said, “...Everyone is aware the ongoing problem with Canada individual cases, I guess we will have
had the opportunity to do so again of the amount of attention that the is because of the “permissiveness” to see…the concerned governments
in my meeting yesterday with For- Modi government has paid to the regarding terrorism, extremism and will have to talk with each other, and
eign Minister Jaishankar and those issues of the Sikh community in the violence in the country. see how they take it forward. But
responsible need to be held account- last 10 years and the suggestions it “The fact is that we have had an there is a larger issue, and I think the
able. And we hope that our friends has made”. ongoing problem with Canada and larger issue should be flagged. I think
in both Canada and India will work “I do not believe that the dis- the Canadian government for some the larger issue is the permissiveness
together to resolve this matter,” cussions that are taking place right years now. And the ongoing prob- that I have flagged,” Jaishankar said.
Blinken added. now are the representative issues lem really revolves around the per- He added, “In India, it will not
Early last week, Canadian Prime of the entire community (Sikhs). missiveness in regard to terrorism, come as a surprise to anybody if
Minister Justin Trudeau made a you tell them that there are people
statement alleging the Indian gov- in Canada who are advocating vio-
ernment of being involved in the kill- lence, separatism, there is a history
ing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Howev- out there. All Indians notice, I sus-
er, India has outrightly rejected the pect very few Americans know this.
claims, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘moti- I think a lot of what I said at today’s
vated’. meeting was new to Americans.
Notably, Canada has yet to pro- The EAM added that it is very
vide any public evidence to support important that the US has India’s
the claim about the slaying of Hard- point of view on the matter as well,
eep Singh Nijjar. because Washington has good re-
India has suspended its visa ser- lations with both Ottawa and New
vices in Canada, following Canadian Delhi. “When Americans look at
Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations Canada, they see something, when
of Indian involvement in the killing. we in India look at Canada, we see
Amid strained ties, India issued an something else and that’s a part of
advisory for its citizens and those the problem, so it’s very important
who are travelling to Canada to ex- that we talk it out with the Ameri-
ercise “utmost caution in view of cans. After all, they are very close
growing anti-India activities and po- to India, they are good friends of
litically-condoned hate crimes and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his interaction with Members of Congress, ours…so it’s important they have our
criminal violence” in the country. administration, business and think tank heads, at India House, in DC on Thursday (ANI) point of view on the matter as well,”
Emphasizing that the Modi gov- Jaishankar said.

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